Kirikou and the White Beast

Running time: 75 minutes Cert: USuitable for: KS2 Geography, LiteracyWebsite: www.kirikou-lefilm.com/kirikou.htm (French Language)

SynopsisKirikou is back, and in these four new action-packed episodes again outsmarts the evilsorceress Karaba, who threatens his African village. African textiles inspired the film'spalette of ambers, and brightly coloured patterns, and the film's soundtrack bringstogether several acclaimed African musicians, including Cameroon's Manu Dibango.

Film FactsKirikou's Grandfather says that the story of Kirikou and The Witch was too short, so heproceeds to explain more about Kirikou's accomplishments.

Pre-viewing activities1. What do you think the ‘white beast’ of the title could be?

2. Find out about the colours and styles of the African textiles that are said to have inspiredthe film. Create a classroom display of your findings.

Post-viewing activities1. What did Kirikou go on to do after his battle with the witch in Kirikou and the Sorceress?

2. What do you think will happen to Kirikou next? Do you think there will be a third Kirikoufilm?

STORYTELLING

21©Film Education 2006

Lassie

Running time: 100 minutes Cert: PGSuitable for: KS1/2 Literacy, GeographyWebsite: www.lassiethefilm.com/

SynopsisFinding themselves in desperate need for money,the Carraclough family is forced to sell Lassie,their treasured dog, to the Duke of Rudling.When Lassie is transported five hundred milesaway to live in the Duke’s remote castle on thenorthern coast of Scotland, she sets off on aperilous journey to return home. An incredibleadventure ensues, which sees Lassie facingdangers both natural and human while findinghelp in unexpected places. The touching bondbetween the Carracloughs and Lassie is clear asshe makes her way across the country, trying toreach home in time for Christmas.

Film Facts‘The world’s most famous dog’, Lassie, a Rough Collie, has been starring in films, TVshows and books since 1938. The new film was made with eight-year-old Lassie the ninth,and three other non-related collies.

The character of Lassie was created by British-American author Eric Knight in Lassie ComeHome, published as a short story in the Saturday Evening Post in 1938 and as a novel in1940. The first Lassie film was made in 1943. Lassie is one of only three dog characters tohave been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The 2005 Lassie film tells the story of Lassie Come Home.

Lassie Filmography- Lassie Come Home (1943) - Challenge to Lassie (1949)- Son of Lassie (1945) - The Magic of Lassie (1978)- Courage of Lassie (1946) - Lassie (1994)- Hills of Home (1948) - Lassie (2005)

Pre-viewing activities1. Do you know of any other stories about dogs? Why do you think dogs make goodsubjects to write about?

2. Lassie is associated with words like ‘loyalty, courage, beauty and grace’. Find out whatthese words mean and use them to create a ‘tagline’ for the poster for the new Lassie film.

STORYTELLING

22©Film Education 2006

3. The filmmakers behind Lassie have to work out ways of showing humans interactingwith the dogs that played Lassie. How could you tell a story with a character who can’tspeak? How could you use the camera and the other characters to show what is going on?

Post-viewing activities1. The new Lassie film is based on the original Lassie story, Lassie Come Home. Look atthe list of films (above) that have been made about Lassie. Make up a title for the nextLassie film and write a synopsis that tells the essence of the story in no more than fiftywords.

2. Lassie was filmed on location in Ireland, England, the Isle of Man and Scotland. Howimportant was the setting in the story? How did it help or hinder Lassie’s journey home?

3. The film is set during the Second World War (1939). How do you think Lassie wouldmanage in a modern-day film? What adventures would she have in your locality? Write astory about Lassie in the twenty-first century.

STORYTELLING

23©Film Education 2006

Laurel & Hardy

Suitable for: KS1/2 Geography, Literacy, History

Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy began working together in 1926.Between 1927 and 1940 they starred in over forty short films andtwelve feature films.

Double Bill

Sons of the Desert (1933)Running time: 68 minutes Cert: U

In Sons of the Desert, Ollie pretends to be ill so that he and Stan can attend a convention.Telling their wives they are going on an ocean voyage, the boys end up in trouble, as usual.

Helpmates (1939)Running time: 20 minutes Cert: U

Helpmates is another of Stan and Ollie’s short films. Ollie’s house is in a mess after a wildparty, and his wife is coming home at noon. Stan comes to help him clean up, andmiraculously the boys finish the job before Ollie has to leave to collect his wife.Unfortunately, Stan has one last finishing touch which doesn’t go as planned.

Double Bill

Laurel & Hardy: Way Out West (1937)Running time: 65 minutes Cert: U

In Way Out West (1937), Stan and Ollie try to deliver the deeds of a gold mine to theowner’s daughter, but are hampered by the greedy Mickey Finn who is determined to keepthe mine for himself.

Music Box (1932)Running time: 30 minutes Cert: U

The Music Box (1932) is an Oscar®-winning short film.

Film FactsLaurel and Hardy were an American-based comedy duo who became famous during thefirst half of the twentieth century for their work in movies. The pair are considered amongthe most famous double acts in cinema history.

Sons of the Desert was made in 1933, and is widely considered to be one of Laurel andHardy’s greatest films.

STORYTELLING

24©Film Education 2006

Pre-viewing activities1. Laurel and Hardy’s style of comedy is described as ‘slapstick’. What do you think thismeans?

2. Laurel and Hardy were stars during the Golden Age of cinema, when they and fellowcomedians, Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton and Harold Lloyd had audiences rolling in theaisles. Who or what makes you laugh today? What was the last film that you saw that madeyou chuckle?

Post-viewing activities1. What is the meaning behind the title of Sons of the Desert?

2. How do Stan and Ollie cause the explosions that damage the house in Helpmates?

3. The song ‘On the Trail of the Lonesome Pine’ featured in Way Out West is a famousLaurel and Hardy song. Why do you think they made it so famous?

4. In Music Box, Stan and Ollie, working for ‘The Laurel and Hardy Moving Co’ have todeliver a piano up a very steep and long flight of stairs. This scene is considered to be oneof the funniest in cinema comedy history. With a friend, re-enact the scene, mimingcarrying the heavy piano between you.

STORYTELLING

25©Film Education 2006

Jour de Fête

Running time: 70 minutes Cert: U[Mostly silent, some subtitles]Suitable for: KS1/2 Literacy, Geography

SynopsisDirected, written by and starring Jacques Tati, Jour de Fête (1949) is a classic physicalcomedy based around the arrival of a travelling fair in a small French town. Tati playsFrançois, the local postman, who is a figure of ridicule amongst the locals, and due to hisnaïve self-importance ends up in various ridiculous scenarios, which showcase Tati's talentfor visual humour.

Film FactsJour de Fête is set in the little town 'Sainte-Severe-sur-Indre'. Many of the locals had rolesas extras in the film. It tells the story of a French postman who is easily distracted.

The actor Jacques Tati was famous for his visual comedy. The story of Jour de Fête is toldalmost entirely without the aid of dialogue.

The film features occasional short bursts of colour, hand-coloured by Tati directly onto theframes. The rest of the film is shot in black and white.

Pre-viewing activities1. Where is the town ‘Sainte-Severe-sur-Indre? Does the town still have an annual fete?

2. Find out about the other films that Jacques Tati made.

Post-viewing activities1. Whilst it is true that Jour de Fête has little dialogue, sound plays a key role. Describehow sound effects and background voices are used to make the film funny.

2. How does the newsreel about the American postal service affect the French postman’soutlook on his job?

STORYTELLING

26©Film Education 2006

Monster House

Running time: 90 minutes Cert: PGSuitable for: KS2 Literacy, Art and Design, P.S.H.E. and CitizenshipWebsite: http://sonypictures.co.uk/movies/monsterhouse/index.html

SynopsisThree kids, DJ, Chowder and Jenny, discover that the house across the street from DJ's isalive and is eating anything that goes on its property. They try to convince the babysitter,her boyfriend Skull, and the police but no one believes them. When the owner, MrNebbercracker dies, the kids venture into the house to try to unravel its mystery andprevent it from eating everything in sight.

Film FactsThe film's characters are animated using performance capture animation. Performancecapture means that actors have wires attached to their bodies so that their movements andfacial expression can be captured into a computer at the same time. The same type ofanimation was used in The Polar Express.

Pre-viewing activities1. Is there a scary house in your neighbourhood that could be a ‘monster house’? Draw apicture of it as if it were alive.

2. If your house were alive, what type of character would it be?

Post-viewing activities1. Does the style of animation help or hinder the story?

2. Which was your favourite character? Why?

3. The film is rated a PG for ‘scary images and sequences, thematic elements, some briefcrude humour and language.’ Do you agree with this rating?

STORYTELLING

27©Film Education 2006

Railway Children, The

Running time: 104 minutes Cert: USuitable for: KS1/2 Literacy, History, Geography, P.S.H.E. and Citizenship

SynopsisBased on the novel by E Nesbit, and set in the early twentieth century, The RailwayChildren tells the often emotional and now classic story of a middle class family fromLondon, seen through the eyes of the three young children. When their father is wrongfullyimprisoned, the family eventually move to a cottage in the country where they fall on hardtimes. Essentially about a man in search of his wife and family, the film depicts how themother demonstrates bravery and a cheerful disposition for her children, who are still ableto amuse themselves and help others.

Film FactsThe Railway Children is based on a book by Edith Nesbit.

The Keighley and Worth Valley Railway and its station at Oakworth were used as the film’slocation.

The film went on to be a great success with critics and audiences alike. In 1999, the BritishFilm Institute named the film as sixty-sixth in its list of the Top 100 British films.

Sally Thomsett, who played Phyllis, the younger sister, is actually two years older thanJenny Agutter who played big sister Bobby.

STORYTELLING

28©Film Education 2006

Pre-viewing activities1. The trains featured in The Railway Children are steam trains. Thinking of the trains oftoday, what would happen in a modern-day version of a story called ‘The RailwayChildren’?

2. What other books did Edith Nesbit write? Have any of these been made into films?

Post-viewing activities1. Who provides the voiceover at the start and end of the film?

2. How do the children prevent the train crash?

3. Do you think the film deserves its rating as one of the best children’s films of all time?Which films would be in your top ten?

STORYTELLING

29©Film Education 2006

Roi et L’oiseau, Le [The Master and Mister Bird]

Running time: 87 minutes Cert: U [Subtitled]Suitable for: KS1/2 Literacy, Geography, P.S.H.E. and Citizenship

SynopsisThe Kingdom of Takicardie quakes under the ruleof the tyrannical King Charles V-et-III-font-XIV,whose favourite pastime is shooting birds. TheKing falls in love with a young shepherdesspainting whose heart already belongs to a youngchimney sweep painting on a close table. TheKing tries to separate the young lovers but howwill they escape from the tyrant? Le Roi etL’oiseau is a timeless classic.

Film FactsThe film is based on the fairy tale The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep by HansChristian Andersen.

Le Roi et L’oiseau is considered to be one of the true classics of animation in France; it hasbeen a source of inspiration to many of the current generation of Japanese animators.

Pre-viewing activities1. Find out what happens in the story of The Shepherdess and the Chimney Sweep.

2. Find out what the words ‘Le Roi et L’oiseau’ mean.

Post-viewing activities1. Create an image from your favourite fairy tale in the style of the animator behind Le Roiet L’oiseau, Paul Grimault.

2. How is the story of Le Roi et L’oiseau similar or different to the story of The Shepherdessand the Chimney Sweep?

3. How would you update the story for a modern-day audience?

4. Describe the fantastical settings of the film.

STORYTELLING

30©Film Education 2006

Sing-a-long-a-Joseph

Running time: 120 minutes Cert: USuitable for: KS1/2 R.E., Literacy, Design and Technology

SynopsisSing-a-long-a-Joseph follows the original stage show, Joseph and the AmazingTechnicolor Dreamcoat, and gives it the inimitable ‘Sing-a-long-a’ treatment. We see thestory of Joseph, the favoured son of Jacob, who is betrayed by his jealous brothers andsold into slavery. Joseph battles the odds through wit and faith and becomes the Governorof Egypt, second only to the Pharaoh. All this sets the scene for when he meets hisbrothers who have come to Egypt to purchase food.

Film FactsThis film is an adaptation of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic family musical.It’s based on the story of Joseph from the Bible.

Pre-viewing activities1. Read the story of Joseph in the Bible.

2. Draw a design of Joseph’s coat as you imagine it could look on the big screen.

Post-viewing activities1. Which was your favourite song to sing along to and why?

2. How does the musical version help you understand the story on a different level?

3. What are the main differences between watching a stage show and watching a film?How does the film version of Joseph represent these differences?

STORYTELLING

31©Film Education 2006

Sky High

Running time: 102 minutes Cert: PGSuitable for: KS2 Literacy, P.S.H.E. and CitizenshipWebsite: http://disney.go.com/disneyvideos/liveaction/skyhigh/

SynopsisAt Sky High, a secret school in the skyfor superheroes and sidekicks, thestudent body throw flames with theirfootballs and study Villainy with theirChemistry! Amongst them, WillStronghold, the son of the world’s mostlegendary superhero, struggles with thepressures of living up to his family nameand status, as well as dealing with thepressures of teenage life. Life is not easyfor Will, when he holds no superpowersof his own and is relegated to a‘sidekick’. However, when an evil villainthreatens his family, friends and school -can Will save the day and prove himselfa hero worthy of the family tradition?

Film FactsIn Sky High, the school in which the film is set is a high school campus (complete withgymnasium and other buildings) that is placed on a flying island. The school's hull isequipped with anti-gravity technology that allows it to hover above the city, at an altitudeabove the cloud layer so it cannot be seen from the ground. The school keeps changingposition, and the location is only known by few individuals, including the bus driver, RonWilson.

Pre-viewing activities1. What types of lessons do you think they do at Sky High? Write a timetable for a typicalMonday.

2. What types of children do you think attend Sky High? If you went, what would yoursuper power be?

Post-viewing activities1. How do the heroes’ classrooms differ from the sidekicks’?

2. Describe the ‘Save the Citizen’ game.

STORYTELLING

32©Film Education 2006

Spellbound

Running time: 97 minutes Cert: USuitable for: KS2 LiteracyWebsite: www.spellboundmovie.com/

SynopsisSpellbound presents the intense, real-life experience of the National Spelling Bee asillustrated by the stories of eight driven, young spellers who compete for the top prize. Theaudience shares the private lives of the students as they train for and compete in theultimate intellectual showdown, discovering not only their individual personalities, theirobsessive study habits, their sometimes heart-breaking, sometimes inspiring familydynamics, but also the story of America itself. Spellbound follows the dramatic journey ofthese eight anxious, yet courageous, young competitors as they wrestle with the impossiblydifficult words and enormously big dreams that define the National Spelling Bee.

Film FactsThe documentary film is set in 1999 at theScripps Howard National Spelling Bee. Thecompetitors include Harry Altman, AngelaArenivar, Ted Brigham, April DeGideo, NeilKadakia, Nupur Lala, Emily Stagg and AshleyWhite. The film's director is Jeffrey Blitz.Disney is planning to adapt the film forBroadway.

Pre-viewing activities1. Discuss the differences between watching a fictional film and watching a documentary.What are your expectations as a member of the audience?

2. Hold a spelling contest in your classroom. Who is the best at spelling?

Post-viewing activities1. How did the film show each child’s experience of the competition?

2. With which child did you empathise the most?

STORYTELLING

33©Film Education 2006

Thief Lord

Running time: 98 minutes Cert: PGSuitable for: KS2 Literacy Website: wwws.warnerbros.co.uk/thieflord/

SynopsisBased on the fantasy novel by Cornelia Funke, Thief Lord is a magical tale about twoyoung boys, Prosper and Bo, who flee to Venice after being orphaned and dumped in thecare of a cruel auntie. Hiding in the canals and alleyways of the city, the boys arebefriended by a gang of young urchins and their enigmatic leader, the Thief Lord. Fromtheir home base of an old cinema, the children steal from the rich to support themselvesand soon capture the interest of a bumbling detective. However, a greater threat to thechildren is something from a forgotten past, a beautiful magical treasure with the power tospin time itself...

Film FactsThe Thief Lord is based on a children's book by German author, Cornelia Funke, whosebooks have been published in many other languages.

Pre-viewing activities1. Who do you think the Thief Lord is and why does he/she wear a mask?

2. Find out about the author of the original novel, Cornelia Funke.

Post-viewing activities1. Draw the old cinema theatre that is used as a base by the street urchins. Pretend to beone of those urchins and write a diary entry for a typical day and night.

2. What role does magic play in the story?

STORYTELLING

34©Film Education 2006

Zathura: A Space Adventure

Running time: 113 minutes Cert: PGSuitable for: KS1/2 Literacy, ScienceWebsite: www.sonypictures.co.uk/movies/zathura/index.html

SynopsisBased on the children’s book by Chris Van Allsburg, Danny and Walter are two brothers whodrive their parents mad with their squabbling. The brothers manage to cooperate enough toplay an old mechanical board game named Zathura. However, after their first move, they findthat the game has apparently flung them, their sister and their entire house into outer space.Furthermore, the brothers surmise the only way to return home is to finish the game. However,with almost every move, new dangers arise as the siblings find themselves learning tocooperate in ways they never expected as they realise what they mean to each other.

Film FactsZathura is an illustrated book by Chris Van Allsburg as well as a film based on the book. Inthis book, two boys, Walter and Danny Budwing, home alone in a large AmericanCraftsman house, discover a space-themed board game where everything inside itbecomes real. The boys are eventually drawn into an intergalactic adventure when theirhouse is magically hurled through space.

While the film was being made, Jonah Bobo (the child actor who plays Danny) lost fourteeth, so the filmmakers made 'flippers' or false teeth that he wore, since the movie takesplace in only a day.

Pre-viewing activities1. Imagine if one of your board games came to life as you were playing it. What would theconsequences be?

2. Do you squabble with your brother or sister? Write down some ‘coping mechanisms’ toavoid the squabbles. What could you do to prevent them?

3. Zathura is not the first Chris Van Allsburg book to be made into a film. Find out whichother books have been made into films.

STORYTELLING

35©Film Education 2006

Post-viewing activities1. Describe the meteor shower scene as if you are a storyteller. You must find ways ofkeeping your audience interested.

2. How does this film compare to its predecessor, Jumanji?

STORYTELLING

36©Film Education 2006